I'm still learning…

Reflections: Learning Forward Texas 2017

Student (every single year): Ms. Helms, are we going to take notes over how to take notes?Me: Yes!!! (said with all three exclamation points)

Maybe this is why I get so excited about a professional learning conference about professional learning! Learning Forward Texas is such a powerful two days of learning with like-minded educators sharing a focus and passion for building capacity in others. It is a beautiful thing.

First of all, I love the way this conference is organized to all an entire day with a thought leader to explore their work and expand our thinking. I am super picky about sessions, and full day session can be scary, however, these two choices seemed obvious for me: the topics are close to my heart, connect to my work, and got me in the room with two guys who I respect and want to learn from. I chose to spend my two days with Thomas Van Soelen & George Couros.

Day Two, First: George Couros, Innovator’s Mindset

I am still mulling this session over in my brain and finding little things that resonate and connect (this post is two weeks post-learning). My framework for thinking about innovation was challenged-as I have always equated innovation with invention-which was a misconception on my part that I am glad is cleared up:

From Wikipedia:

The term innovation derives from the Latin word innovatus, which is the noun form of innovare “to renew or change,” stemming from in—”into” + novus—”new”. Although the term is broadly used, innovation generally refers to the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society. Innovation differs from invention or renovation in that innovation generally signifies a substantial positive change compared to incremental changes.

The last line of that definition poses the question I am still trying to answer for myself: How is my work and my thinking creating substantial, positive change? For students? For educators? For our system?